Gabriel had managed to survive a harsh and deadly battle against a very powerful Arcanian. However, the aftermath of the fight began to take its toll on him. On his way back to the hidden valley, the boy made a huge effort to stay conscious, but the little strength he had left was slowly abandoning him. After nearly eight hours of flying, he lost consciousness and fell somewhere.
His master, who had been alert, noticed it immediately and sent someone to find him without delay.
Daniel sent Rafael, who, thanks to his abilities, managed to find Gabriel unconscious beside a small river. Holding him tightly, he brought him back to be treated by his master.
His friends were overjoyed, and Daniel quickly began to heal his wounds. Safe at last, the young man rested while Daniel instructed the remaining apprentices to set out in search of the Forger, using a map that showed the exact location. Giving them the necessary directions, he warned them about the secrets of that mysterious being. Rauel, Remeiel, Rafael, and Sariel departed immediately.
One chapter was coming to an end, and a new one was about to begin. The four young warriors headed toward the Forger, full of hope.
Later, after some time had passed, Daniel gave one last order to the remaining three:
“Come, please. It’s been five days since your companions left on their mission, and now I have one for you.
There’s nothing more I can teach you, and you’ve proven that you don’t need me anymore. That’s why I want you to obey me one last time. As you know, you have been chosen to protect our world and destroy the corruption that has invaded us, and you must be prepared for what is to come—knowing that it won’t be good…
?To achieve peace, you must first fight for it and be willing to risk your lives. Don’t take this lightly. And even though you’ve already faced powerful warriors like Asael, Ramael, and Samael, you must understand that they are not the strongest.
If all of Arcan has been corrupted, it means your true enemies are nearly invincible—especially those closest to the Patriarch. They are beyond my reach, especially Artaqof, who is second only to Shemihaza. I can’t even imagine how far his power goes.
Overconfidence can be your downfall… beware of that.
?Also, there’s something you don’t know: in the king’s castle dwell four legendary beings. Each one of them is the ancient ruler of one of this planet’s cities, and their power… is unlimited!”
The young ones shuddered at hearing that…
“Let’s hope they don’t act recklessly, because the only one who can fight them is Shemihaza—and even he doesn’t know if he could defeat them.
If they decide to act on their own, we’ll be in trouble. That’s why you must proceed with extreme caution and always stay united.
Now, I want you to return to your homes and enjoy your families… When the time comes, you will fight.”
Silence fell upon them for a moment, but then they accepted what the future had in store…
The three of them took different paths and returned to their homes. They knew they would meet again soon—but this time, it would be to fight.
Rest was not for everyone. Rafael and the others were on their way to the place indicated on the map. They had to get there as soon as possible and find the Forger. The path was difficult and harsh, especially in the unknown extremes of the planet—places they had never imagined visiting. Anxious to arrive, they constantly wondered how much farther they had to go.
It was astonishing how different that side of the planet was. The temperature was high, and there was hardly any vegetation or animal life.
After traveling for so long, they decided to stop to eat and drink water to regain their strength.
Nearly ten days after beginning their journey, the travelers finally found what appeared to be the location marked on the map. It resembled a massive crater, as if something had fallen there a long time ago.
There were no signs of life or energy, nor any strange presence, but there were underground tunnel-like structures that suggested something was hidden below.
The young ones decided to descend and investigate, despite how ominous the place appeared.
Upon entering the area, the temperature was extremely high, and the gravity had increased significantly—a different environment from what the planet usually offered. As they ventured through one of the tunnels, they noticed they formed a labyrinth.
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The deeper they went, the stronger the pressure became, and the path felt endless. Then, without realizing it, they found themselves inside a tunnel where no light penetrated, though by then they hardly noticed… until they saw an exit.
Upon stepping out, they found a vast cavern with no source of light or air. Yet, despite the darkness, small floating lights filled the atmosphere—like sparks of fire rising and falling constantly.
Remeiel, who could control fire like her brother, thought the air might be flammable, so she attempted to create a flame to test it. Perhaps it could activate light in the area. She warned her friends to take cover just in case.
When the winged girl ignited a small flame in her hand, something strange began to happen. A strong wind began to flow through the cave, quickly pulling the sparks into motion and raising the flame Remeiel had created, which now emitted strange sounds.
“Remeiel, what are you doing?! Stop it!” the others shouted.
“It’s not me!” she replied, trying to resist the powerful wind…
Different currents of air and fire clashed intensely and took the shape of a giant bird flapping its wings…
A powerful presence suddenly appeared next to the great bird of fire and wind, speaking in an imposing voice:
“WHO ARE YOU?! AND HOW DARE YOU WAKE ME FROM MY DEEP SLUMBER?! ANSWER NOW!”
The deafening thunder of the voice froze the intruders, who couldn’t utter a word. The bird then demanded again:
“SPEAK!”
And their tongues were released. They were then able to explain why they had come…
“We’ve come in search of the Forger. We urgently need to speak with him,” said Remeiel.
“The Forger? Is that what they call me? Well then… I AM THE FORGER!”
The young ones were surprised by this revelation, but they knew time was pressing, so they told him everything that had been happening—especially about the looming war.
“War? No one has come here in hundreds and hundreds of years, and now a group of children shows up telling me we’re at war? What is your name?”
“My name is Remeiel, and we came because we want to protect our world. We were told that only you can grant us the legendary weapons, and we need them to fight…” she answered.
“I have existed since before AN was founded, and I have roamed the edges of the universe at my leisure, so I understand exactly what is happening just by seeing a group of desperate youths come looking for me.
But let me tell you this: I cannot grant you these weapons. They are not something I can simply give to someone, because the legendary weapons have a consciousness of their own—just like the living energy of the universe.
?For that same reason, you must awaken them from their slumber. Perhaps you don’t know, but no one has ever been able to obtain them—not even the Patriarch… though he has tried with all his strength.”
“And how can we awaken them?” the young ones wondered…
“Only the pure power of a warrior can awaken them and allow them to belong to one another. Once they are united, they will never part again.
They now sleep in the fire of my wings, and for them to be reborn, you must prove yourselves worthy to wield them. To do that, you must show the full extent of your power.
If that’s why you’re here, then do it!”
The four did as the fiery bird instructed: they began to unleash their full power…
The warriors forgot themselves and entered a trance that led them to contemplate the vastness of the universe. They traveled through every corner of their memories, as if someone were deeply examining them. A storm of fire and lightning began to flood the enormous cave due to all the energy emanating from them.
Surprisingly, glowing forms began to emerge from the bird’s wings, darting side to side at incredible speed before settling in front of the young warriors as their bodies floated. Slowly, they began to awaken… and the youths saw the weapons they had sought appear before their eyes.
The ancient weapons with a consciousness of their own had awakened, thanks to the power of the young warriors, whom they had chosen as their rightful bearers. There were two swords, a great hammer, and an axe—now floating before them. They took them in their hands, and their spirits became one.
“At last, you’ve succeeded,” said the Forger. “You must know that if they chose you, it’s because this has always been your destiny.”
“Please, great Forger, tell us your name!” Rafael asked.
“You may call me… the Immortal Bird.”
With that, he soared into the air in an incredible flight, merging with a whirlwind of fire, turning into ashes that scattered into the wind once more.
His presence could no longer be felt, so Remeiel and her friends understood that his work was done—and now, they had to return… ready to fight.
Upon exiting the crater, the seraphim siblings urgently departed toward Serf, while the others returned to Portcan with the intention of seeing their loved ones and preparing for what was to come.
Earthquakes and storms ravaged the planet. The inhabitants of the towns and the animals tried to protect themselves as best they could, but there was nothing they could do.
Several months had passed since the young warriors had last seen each other, when a messenger with a summons from the Patriarch arrived at Daniel’s house. The master had already removed the protective barrier and was sitting in his chair, drinking tea as usual when he received the visitor.
“Good day to you, sir.”
“But you’re a soldier of Arcan,” said Daniel.
“That’s right, my lord. The Patriarch has sent me with a message of great importance, of mandatory nature, for you.”
“Then tell me.”
“The leader requests that you present yourself immediately in Arcan, and I’ve been assigned to escort you there… I hope you don’t mind.”
“Very well… but tell me, has something happened?”
“I’ve only been told that much, but if I may give my opinion… I don’t believe anything good will come of it.”
“Then let’s go,” he replied. And to himself, he added:
“Now… everything is in the hands of the young ones.”
